--- title: Tomatoes are one of Americans Top Favorite Vegetable description: The average American eats about 31 lbs. of tomatoes a year, according to the USDA. That makes the tomato the second favorite vegetable in the United States image: https://blog.aghires.com/hubfs/Tomatos%20pile.jpg --- [![AgHires_Logo_Black_no_tag-1](https://blog.aghires.com/hubfs/Logos/AgHires_Logo_Black_no_tag-1.png)](https://aghires.com/) - [JOBS](https://jobs.aghires.com/jobs) - [SEARCH JOBS](https://jobs.aghires.com/jobs) - [SUBMIT YOUR RESUME](mailto:resumes@aghires.com) - [INTERNSHIPS](https://jobs.aghires.com/jobs/internship) - [CAREER ADVICE](https://blog.aghires.com/tag/career-advice) - [FIND COMPANIES](https://jobs.aghires.com/organizations) - [CREATE ACCOUNT](https://jobs.aghires.com/user/login) - [HIRE TALENT](https://aghires.com/#hiring-solutions) - [POST A JOB](https://jobs.aghires.com/products) - [RECRUITING SERVICES](https://aghires.com/recruiting-services) - [EXECUTIVE SEARCH](https://aghires.com/executive-recruiting) - [POST INTERNSHIPS FOR FREE](https://jobs.aghires.com/free-internship-job-postings) - [BACKGROUND CHECKS](https://aghires.com/background-checks) - [ADVERTISE ON AGHIRES](https://aghires.com/advertising-opportunities) - [INDUSTRIES WE SERVE](https://aghires.com/#industries) - [HIRING TIPS](https://aghires.com/resources) - [RESOURCES](https://blog.aghires.com) - [BLOG](https://blog.aghires.com) - [VIDEO LEARNING](https://www.youtube.com/user/AgHiresJobs) - [AG EDUCATORS & ADVISORS](https://aghires.com/ag-classroom-resources) - [AG HIRING TRENDS](https://aghires.com/agriculture-workforce-key-hiring-trends) - [ABOUT US](https://aghires.com/about-us) - [ABOUT AGHIRES](https://aghires.com/about-us) - [WORK AT AGHIRES](https://aghires.com/careers) - [TESTIMONIALS & CASE STUDIES](https://aghires.com/testimonials) - [CONTACT](https://aghires.com/contact) - [SIGN UP/SIGN IN](https://jobs.aghires.com/user/login) # Tomatoes are one of Americans Top Favorite Vegetable ![Clock Image](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/4130406/B2B%20Theme/Clock-3.png) 3 Minute Read Posted by [Karyn Moyer](https://blog.aghires.com/author/karyn-moyer) Tags: [Ag Fun and Facts](https://blog.aghires.com/tag/ag-fun-and-facts) ![Tomato Facts](https://blog.aghires.com/hubfs/Tomatos%20pile.jpg) The average American eats about 31 pounds of tomatoes each year, according to the USDA. That makes the tomato the second favorite vegetable in the United States, behind potatoes. The fresh tomato is the fourth favorite among fresh vegetables, following potatoes, lettuce, and onions. However, the processed tomato, found in pizza, catsup, and pasta dishes, is much more popular since Americans consume three-fourths of the vegetable this way. One-third of processed tomatoes are estimated to be eaten in restaurants, such as your favorite pizzeria. The red fruit is probably so popular because they add so much flavor to recipes. Thirty-five percent of processed tomatoes are consumed in sauces, with 18% in paste, 17% in canned tomato products, and 15% in catsup and juice. ## Where Do We Get Our Tomatoes? Where does this lovable vegetable come from? Mostly China and the United States. In the United States, about 96% of tomatoes grown for processing are grown in California, with Florida, Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan filling in the remaining 4%. Only 6% of tomato products are imported. California again leads in producing the fresh-market tomato, followed by Florida with Virginia, Georgia, Ohio, Tennessee, North Carolina, New Jersey, and Michigan filling the rest. ## The Dark History of Tomatoes This vegetable wasn’t always so lovable. For many reasons, the tomato received a bad reputation. Anything from the name to the insects attracted to the plant caused alarm. For example, in Europe in the 1700 people believed the tomato to be toxic when aristocrats became ill and died after eating them. However, it was learned much later that the pewter plates actually caused the tomatoes to become poisonous. Since the fruit is high in acidity, they drew the lead from the plates, causing lead poisoning. Eventually, fears were eased and the tomato became a favorite around the world. ## Are Tomatoes, a Fruit or Vegetable? Now the question that is on everyone’s mind. Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable? Botanically the tomato is a fruit, however, in 1893 the court ruled that the tomato was a vegetable. This court ruling came after a tomato importer argued that tomatoes should be exempt from the vegetable tax.  In 1887 a 10% duty on vegetables was implemented, however, there was no tax on fruit. The importer reasoned that tomatoes are actually a fruit, therefore exempting them from the tax. However, Justice Gray stated in his decision that the fruit is served as a vegetable. And that is why we now call the beloved tomato a vegetable. [**Want more Agriculture Facts? Click here**](https://blog.aghires.com/tag/ag-fun-and-facts) AgHires can help you find your next job. Search for jobs in agriculture, food production, horticulture, and other related industries at [**AgHires.com**](https://aghires.com/search/). Follow us on [**Facebook**](https://www.facebook.com/AgHiresJobs/) and [**Twitter**](https://twitter.com/AgHires) to get your weekly dose of Ag Facts. [**Sign Up for Our Email Newsletter**](https://www.subscribepage.com/aghires_agconnector_signup) and get ag facts bi-monthly, plus new jobs in agriculture.   Sources: [USDA](https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/ag-and-food-statistics-charting-the-essentials/food-availability-and-consumption/)  [WorldAtlas.com](https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-top-10-tomato-producing-states-in-the-united-states.html) [Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/story/is-a-tomato-a-fruit-or-a-vegetable)  [SmithSonianMag.com](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/why-the-tomato-was-feared-in-europe-for-more-than-200-years) Learn about the (sometimes dark!) history of this beloved veggie ![Karyn Moyer](https://blog.aghires.com/hubfs/i-WvgpGqf-X2.jpeg) ### [Karyn Moyer](https://blog.aghires.com/author/karyn-moyer) Karyn Moyer is the Senior Marketing Manager at AgHires, with over 13 years of marketing experience, over 9 of which she has spent in the agriculture marketing industry. Growing up in a small farming town, Karyn has a deep appreciation for the importance of agriculture and its role in our communities. Since joining AgHires in 2017, Karyn has used her wealth of experience and knowledge to help job seekers and clients achieve their goals. 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